figure carving WIP 2

[underfoot]

a forum member (who would like to have a go at carving a figure) asked if I would post WIP pics of the next one I made, (with more info on tools used)
ok, here goes,
I'm using a piece of the huon (300 x 150 x 100mm) I picked up in Tassie recently

1....pencil...I make a line drawing of the figure directly onto the wood
2...bandsaw..cutting right to the line, (using 1/4inch, 4tpi blade)
3... cutting disc on angle grinder (rotary chisel or arbotech) roughing out, establishing the high points (front leg, breasts etc) by removing wood around them

[Claw Hama]

Well UF you're off to a good start.

[underfoot]

still using the 100mm cutter I rough shape the curve of the back

4...arbotech mini carver.. and pencil...(the piece is small enough to have started with the mini).... I continually draw reference lines as they are carved away...use the mini to continue to establish the shape , rounding off the legs and torso.

5...dremel and burrs..I'm using an old flex shaft dremel (hanging type) with a 'kutzall'
tear drop shaped burr (course).. with this I start to refine the shape, hollowing armpits,
muscle definition,etc (I exaggerate all the muscles, they soften up when sanding)

6...chisels ..I used 3 on this piece..a roughing gouge to shape and texture the base,
a pfeil no.1 knife.. to cut crisp lines between legs and bottom,...and a pfeil 12mm shallow fishtail to clean up the knife cuts.

7...sanding discs on dremel...Im using 120grit glued onto a leather backed (homemade) disc, the abrasive protrudes over the disc by 6mm ...this starts to remove previous machine marks and soften muscle definition.

[underfoot]

7...sanding
8...sanding
9...sanding...by hand with 180grit softens and rounds the form and removes the flat spots left by machine, ...then to 240grit then 320...600..
( don't go cheap on the abrasive...false economy)

[underfoot]

10... finishing....(there's a whole forum devoted to this)...this piece was given 2 coats of 'Feast watson' proof seal, sanded between coats with 3m microfine foam backed pads.
then finished with wax,

ok, away you go then

[Rattrap]

Underfoot i just love your work, thanks for the WIP very good reading & good pics. maybe 1 day i'll try my hand at something like this, one day....

[clare]

Stunning, Stunning, Stunning But are we surprised?
Inspirational Underfoot. Thank you so much for sharing.

[springwater]

Yummy stuff Undy

[Claw Hama]

Fantastic Underfoot, you make it look so easy, ah but that is the sign of a true craftsperson.

[underfoot]

you make it look so easy, .

it's really not that difficult Claw just do it one step at a time
oh yeah, forgot to mention making a plasticene model as a reference while carving,
a must do IMO

[Aliciana]

thank you so much "underfoot" for your wip I love this kind of work especially if the wood is left natural , I also liked your nude very much, This is the kind of work I am doing too . I only use found wood and leave it natural, I have the Arbortech mashines and they are "my babies" special the Tungston blade for hardwood.
Thanks again
Aliciana

[dai sensei]

Gees Underfoot, you make it look so simple. Well done as usual

[TTIT]

Great WIP Underfoot and a beautiful work of art to boot. Must have smelled nice on the deck for the duration

[underfoot]

This is the kind of work I am doing too . I only use found wood and leave it natural,
Aliciana

love to see some of your work Aliciana,
can you post some pics?

[ss_11000]

great work undy